Endocrine Specialist Nurse development role Band 6 to 7

Job overview

This is a development post starting at a band 6 rising to band 7 on completion of training and competencies which are aligned with the Society for Endocrinology.. You will be working as part of a small team of nurses and clinicians caring for patients with hormone related disorders. This training post involves hands-on experience with conditions like diabetes,thyroid issues, and adrenal problems, providing education to patients and their families, supporting clinics, and conducting specific tests.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

Main duties of the job

• The Endocrine Nurse Specialist (ENS) will be responsible, in conjunction with the lead clinician, for the planning development and management of an effective and efficient endocrine service throughout the Trust.  This responsibility includes autonomous practice within secondary care.
• As part of the endocrine nursing team across UHSussex the post will provide a specialist, autonomous, nurse led service within RSCH.
• Ensure endocrine patients receive expert education, support, and relevant literature related to their condition.
• The post holder is expected to enhance and maintain the endocrine service through evidence-based practice and audit consistent with National guidelines.
• Sole responsibility for management of patients referred for dynamic endocrine function tests.
• Proficient in cannulation and venepuncture.
• Act autonomously to provide ongoing assessment and treatment of patients with both challenging clinical and psychological problems. This specialist clinical expertise will be used for both ongoing disease management and endocrine emergencies. Effective endocrine management should improve health outcomes and reduce emergency hospital admissions.
• Ensures patient information leaflets for UHSussex are updated regularly, according to recent research and in accordance with Trust policy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

• Be integral in the assessment, planning and delivery of endocrine nursing services in conjunction with the consultant endocrinologist, diabetologists, and other ENS’s

• Obtain appropriate venous access depending on patient’s physical status.

• Plan, implement, outcome and review dynamic endocrine function tests requested by endocrinologists and ensure results are communicated to patients without delay to allow appropriate medication regime and therefore reduce the chance of emergency hospital admissions

• Administer intravenous/intramuscular drugs prescribed by endocrinologist/diabetologist or as per protocol.

Devise, implement, review and evaluate proforma's for endocrine tests. Ensure and encourage cross site working.

• Attend outpatient clinics to ensure endocrine and pituitary patients receive expert education, support and counselling and are given relevant literature.

• Effectively hold and organise a patient case load and maintain database of activity.

• Ensure adherence to NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) guidelines where applicable.

• Develop and oversee specialist care packages tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

• Manage the safe storage and use of medication in line with Trust policies and procedures.

• Teach injection technique and ensure biochemical monitoring for patients starting on growth hormone.

• Implement the ethos of clinical governance particularly with relation to risk management.

• Participate in approved expanded practitioner role procedures as required by the Trust.

• Assist with the identification/implementation of service improvements, and develop practice in line with the modernisation agenda, Trust, directorate and departmental objectives.

• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of change within the endocrine service.

• Participate in the preparation and formulation of business plans and other documents according to Trust and division of medicine requirements.

• Participate in directorate and Trust projects, committees and working groups as required such as National Service Framework Steering Groups and NICE drug formulary forums.